PLAN No. 1202. ELECTRICAL AUTOMOBILE WORK
The automobile repair men who are receiving highest wages to-day are those who are familiar with the electrical as well as the mechanical equipment. Electrical starting and lighting is now regarded as so essential and has been adopted so universally that a large number of men are employed exclusively in its maintenance. The demand appears greatly to exceed the supply. Many garages are seeking constantly thoroughly qualified automobile electricians. They are willing and expect to pay good wages to well-qualified men. Probably some of the best possibilities in the automobile field to-day are waiting for specialists in electrical starting and lighting equipment.
Necessary qualifications for an automobile electrician are that he be thoroughly familiar with the electrical equipment, and also with the operation of the car as a whole. To diagnose a case of electrical trouble, it is usually necessary first to determine what effect it has on the general operation of the car. This requires a knowledge of the valves, timing, and many other elements. Obviously such a specialist should be able to disassemble the electrical equipment, and to effect such adjustments in it as may be required. Some acquaintance with electrical theory is of great assistance. An extended knowledge will prove a paying asset, because of the greater ultimate compensation which it will insure its owner. Much of this information can be acquired through practical experience in the shop, but a large part can be secured only through study at home or in a suitable school.
Repair men should understand the principles of the magneto, induction coil, generator, regulator, starting motor, condenser, and the like. They should appreciate how these principles are utilized in the normal operation of the equipment. Frequently a service station will specialize on one type of equipment. Its work may comprise only coil repairing, or magneto work, or motor repairing. In a shop which assumes repairs of all kinds there may be, in addition to the three branches just enumerated, also motor and generator work, storage battery repairing, light wiring, and other special lines.
Electrical automobile work offers a very promising field for the returned soldier who is familiar with automobile repairs in general, but who because of some disability is not competent to do heavy work. With his background of general automobile repair knowledge, and with the theoretical training in practical electricity which he may acquire through a Federal Board course, rapid progress should be possible. The opportunity is there, and the man who likes and is qualified for this vocation, a very satisfactory reward is awaiting. The work is usually eight hours. Most of it is indoors, but sometimes it must be done outside. A beginner or helper, who is not expected to do much work without supervision, may expect to receive from $60 to $80 per month; a competent experienced repairman will probably receive from $80 to $150; and an expert or foreman from $125 to $200. Employment is steady because a concern which has obtained and trained good men endeavors to keep them week in and week out. There is always the possibility, for an individual who understands this work, of starting an electrical automobile repair business for himself. See [monograph] on “Automobile maintenance and service.”